Some games just hit the mark and Starburst is absolutely one of them. Developed by NetEnt, a game producing powerhouse, this non progressive videoslot captures players with its bright starry theme and cosmic music. And with bets ranging from just 10p to £100, it will appeal not only to casual players, but to high rollers as well. Starburst is a very popular option when it comes to new promotions and free spins as part of welcome bonuses, so we take a closer look to find out what makes this slot all-the-rage.

Slot Game Overview:

Gameplay

The basic premise of Starburst is pretty simple: a game set in cosmos, featuring dreamy music, neon gems, and the sevens
and bars that bring back that 80s retro feeling. When I think of the name Starburst, I certainly don’t expect retro coloured
neon gemstones, but for whatever reason NetEnt decided to design it this way, it certainly comes together and works spectacularly
well.

The video slot features no progressive jackpot, but is your typical slot otherwise. It has
five reels and
10 adjustable paylines. Punters can bet anywhere
from 10p to £100, making this slot appealing to both low-risk players who wager small amounts and professional players.
We’ve classed this as a medium risk slot, but really, the choice is yours as to how risky you want to make it.

With the super healthy
96.1% return-to-player and wins that come frequently, there definitely are wins to be had. Furthermore, the
paytable is rather generous and players can stand to win up to a staggering 50,000 coins. Although that probably couldn’t
get one a flight into outer space, winning such anamount would surely feel stellar!

Features

"Boast" is certainly not the verb that I’d use when it comes to features of Starburst. Although the game is a go-to slot when other games get too complex or confusing, it also lacks certain features that other games have.

For starters, there aren’t free spins as such. Instead, the Expanding Wilds take over that feature. The Starburst Wild appears only on reels 2,3 and 4 and expands to cover the entire reel, automatically triggering a re-spin. So, although you can’t get awarded 15 free spins in one go, all of the re-spins certainly add up and multiply your wins greatly. However, do keep in mind that five is the maximum number of re-spins that you can trigger in a row.

Furthermore, not exactly a feature (but we put it down with features anyway since not every slot has it), but Starburst lets you win both ways. This means that winning combinations are counted – both left to right and right to left, so you get double the chance of scoring a winning combination and taking home some sweet cash.

Performance

Although the features certainly let Starburst down, the performance of the slot is flawless. The music is well synced and excellently chosen to accompany the outer space setting with the mesmerising stars twinkling in the distance. The winning combination graphics are clear and engaging and the sound effects of Expanding Wilds are rather cool. There is this pervading feeling of the 1980s era that shrouds the game, but for those who sympathise with retro, it will do the trick.

The game runs smoothly on both my mobile and on my laptop, exactly what I expected from a grand developer such as NetEnt. I can see exactly why it would appeal to so many, be it on desktop or playing on a mobile device on the go.

Hit or Flop?

I have always wondered what determines the success of a slot. It is still somewhat of a mystery. Even before Starburst was launched and right after, the (pre)views were quite dismal. Lack of features was mostly cited as a reason for the disappointment and reviewers guessed as to why NetEnt designers and developers didn’t bother to include more exciting features to this game.

However, NetEnt may have had something up its sleeve. Given the fact that the game has been going strong ever since its launch, so for over three years now, the approach of ‘less is more’ seems to have worked. Casinos use Starburst as their go-to slot for various promotions, they give out no deposit free spins on Starburst to newly registered users and Starburst is continuously at the very top of popular game lists at most casinos. So it’s definitely a hit in our book!

Starburst Review - Our Conclusion

The secret of this game, despite its apparent lack of features, is probably that it never fails to entertain and doesn’t get boring. Other games, especially video slots with predictable features, are nice to try out when they are launched, but quickly lose their charm. Starburst has a one-up because it’s colourful, simple and rewarding – a nice package of features which work so well together and make this a timeless, classic slot that will thrive for the years to come.